ExploreBird

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

The Sandhill Crane is a tall bird with gray feathers and a red cap on its head. It loves to dance and make loud calls with its friends. These cranes fly in a V-shape when migrating long distances.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Sandhill Crane is a large, gray bird with long dark legs and a remarkably long neck. Its most striking feature is a distinctive bright red patch of bare skin on its forehead, setting it apart from other tall wading birds.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderGruiformesFamilyGruidaeGenusGrus

Sandhill Crane

Interesting facts

A group of Sandhill Cranes is sometimes called a 'herd' or even a 'dance'!

Baby cranes are called 'colts' and often stay with their parents for almost a full year.

Sandhill Cranes are one of the oldest known bird species, with fossils over 2.5 million years old!

Their strong, pointed bills are perfect tools for digging up tasty roots and small critters.

Special abilities

Sandhill Cranes have a super long windpipe that coils into their chest, helping them make incredibly loud, trumpeting calls.

Sandhill Cranes can 'paint' their feathers with mud and plant matter, camouflaging themselves to blend in better.

Sandhill Cranes can fly thousands of kilometers, traveling between breeding and wintering grounds with incredible endurance.

Measurements & details

Length: 90-120 cm
Wingspan: 160-210 cm
Weight: 3-6.5 kg
Lifespan: 20-25 years
Top Speed: 70 km/h
Clutch Size: 1-3
Incubation: 29-32 days
Migration Distance: 8000 km

Diet & Feeding

These tall birds eat a wide variety of plants and small animals they find by foraging.

Primary Foods

Grains
Seeds
Insects
Berries
Frogs
Roots

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Coyote

Canis latrans

Coyotes sometimes prey on crane eggs and young colts.

eaten by

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

Golden Eagles can predate on young or injured Sandhill Cranes.

eats

Corn

Zea mays

Cranes often forage for waste corn after harvests in fields.

eats

Common Spikerush

Eleocharis palustris

Cranes consume tubers and roots of wetland plants.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Feathered

These are animals covered in soft, beautiful feathers that help them fly, stay warm, and even attract mates! Think of all the amazing birds you know.

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Omnivorous

Meet versatile eaters who enjoy a wide variety of foods, from plants to other animals, allowing them to adapt to many different environments. They're nature's flexible diners!

Ancient Lineage

These fascinating organisms carry echoes of the deep past, with ancestors that have roamed the Earth for an incredible span of time. They are living links to ancient worlds!

Longevous

Marvel at organisms that have an incredible capacity to live for a very, very long time, sometimes spanning centuries or even millennia. They are the elders of the natural world!

Wetland

These fascinating areas are covered by water for at least part of the year, creating a perfect home for unique plants and animals, like marshes and swamps.

Migratory

Follow incredible journeys across the world! These animals travel far and wide at different times of the year, often to find better food or warmer places.